OT: USMNT vs Panama - Gold Cup Final

The top trophy in North American soccer will be won in the Windy City on Sunday afternoon when the US national team meet surprise contenders Panama in the Gold Cup final at Soldier Field.

Mexico's woeful underperformance this month prevented the border rivalry showcase that everyone expects from this tournament and opened the door for La Marea Roja. But coach Julio Dely Valdés and his men did more than enough to prove that they belong, defeating El Tri twice, handling Martinique and routing Cuba.

Meanwhile, the USMNT has been dominant, rolling up five straight wins (part of a larger 10-game winning streak which has set a program record) with 19 goals scored and four conceded. Both teams are undefeated to this point.

Be happy there is a GLOBAL city within driving distance to Michigan that is able to host world class sporting events (Except the Superbowl thanks to the ever so small spaceship that landed on Soldier Field).

This is coming from a former Michigan resident now going on 10 years in Chicago.

acting a like it owns the sports world when it has only one good team in it. To be perfectly honestly I hate that city with a passion and close to every sports team in it. And I love how the sports networks keep blowing this city since the Bandwagonhawks won the cup. There's more than Chicago in America.

God I can't wait for the NFL season to start and for them to go into full depression mode.

I am a Michigan resident, and a proud Detroit sports fan... Chicago has the best fans hands down. The fans get into the game, and dont sit on their hands in silence. Only one good team in it? The only team that has been down for an extended period of time is the Cubs, and they still sell out every game. Derrick Rose is returning, so the Bulls will be one of the best teams in the league again. The Bears will be consistently good year in and year out. The White Sox outside of this year have been a contender in the AL Central for over a decade. They are also have the best crowds whenever professional wrestling comes to town. Oh yeah, and its an awesome city.

While I agree with most of your post you obviously haven't been to a Cubs game in a while, yes they sell out, but almost all of those fans aren't there to be fans of their team. It's more of a frat party than it is a baseball game, nobody actually watches the game.

Overall a decent effort by US today. First half was some of the most boring soccer of the tourney, by design (via Panama "10 back" strategy). Second half was more open especially after the U.S. goal. The 10 man back thing does showcase this particular set of Americans (save Landon's) individual abilitity to break down opponents. That said the team did what it wanted to do and other than a fluke this game never seemed out of U.S. control. Not sure if Panama had a shot directly on goal actually. Didn't feel any game was out of the U.S. control in fact at any moment - a nice sign.

Landon was the star of this team and tourney by a country mile - I think he either set up or scored all (or if not all just about all!) of the goals. On defense I know these were not world class strikers they were playing but I thought Goodson and Beasley showed well. Besler was shaky at times. Surprised Gonzalez didn't get much play in this tourney especially late - maybe that says something about what the coaching staff thinks - or they wanted to evaluate Goodson.

In the midfield other than the semifinal I thought Diskerud played well. Shame about Holden - hope its only a sprain. Corona showed a flash here or there. Beckerman plays very conservative overall - but he did unleash some very nice shots in a few games. Shea I am not sure what to say about him.

On the top line Wondo had some fun against the weak teams but other than finishing doesn't display much ability to break down an opponent and his passing lacks IMO. Eddie Johnson is what he is, against stalwart defenses he is basically a piece of the puzzle to flash some speed and make runs. Really it is Altidore or bust here in Brazil.

"As of today", I think the preferred field players in Brazil would be: On defense Goodson, Fabian Johnson and a mix and match of a few others including Beasley, Jeff Cameron, Evans, etc. One center back and one right back desperately needed to step up. Midfield - Landon, Bradley the 2 locks. Jermaine Jones, Zusi, Holden (if healthy), Diskerud, Bedoya, Beckerman, Torres, Shea - some form of mix and match for the other 2 slots. I assume Jones has an inside track at 1 of the midfield spots. Some listed really are just depth players but maybe one makes a big jump year over year. Attackers - Dempsey and Altidore - no question (guess you can flip flop Donovan and Dempsey in terms of slotting but I like Landon out wide and Dempsey in the middle) I am assuming Goodson continues this level - if so this gives 4 open slots as starters, 2 midfielders and 2 defenders... hopefully 2-3 of these guys get hot in early 2014 and wrestle away starting spots from teammates.